Architectural Inspo: Backcountry Hut Company

Though we all dream of having a cabin of our own, somewhere away from the reaches of email and conference calls. Generally speaking, it’s a dream. But many designers are making strides in bringing more affordable shelters to market. One of which is Vancouver,BC-based Backcountry Hut Company, founded in 2015 on the idea of producing simple, recreational structures that can be installed in remote locations with relative ease. And as of earlier this week their site is officially online, meaning you can now speak with someone on their team about selling all your belongings and turning your savings into a cabin.

Backcountry Hut Company offers two distinct layouts—backcountry and frontcountry—that can be configured in a number of ways. The modular, prefabricated structures feature kitchen and living areas on the ground level and sleeping quarters on the top floor. The backcountry hut features a large, communal kitchen with bunkbeds, while the frontcountry design is more home-like with an open kitchen and live/work space below a more conventinal bedroom. This concept is more fitted for easily accessible areas and could even be assembled within city limits, if you’re keen to join the tiny home movement.

Around $55,000 will get you a nice, modest hut ready for assembly, though prices vary widely on preferred layout and number of modulars needed. Each hut kit is shipped flatpacked and prefabricated in Vancouver to cut down on the environmental impact of the entire process. And apparently, it doesn’t take an engineer to assemble the kits—great news for us desk jockeys.

The IKEA-like concept was first conceived by avid outdoorsman and experienced business developer Wilson Edgar. Michael Leckie of Leckie Studio Architecture + Design then joined on to help bring the company to life with extensive knowledge go what it takes to build on remote sites. Additionally, Swiss national and celebrated woodworker Cyrill Werlen handles the manufacturing each hut kit. So, you’re in good hands.